Mitchell pushes accountability framework on LASD deputy gangs
Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (D-Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Compton, Carson) is pushing the Board of Supervisors to require the Sheriff’s Department (LASD) to formally identify and publicly name deputy gangs, cliques, and secret subgroups within the department, without requiring criminal charges or convictions as a precondition.
The motion follows years of litigation and settlements involving alleged LASD deputy cliques, including the Banditos and the Executioners, both accused of using matching tattoos to identify members within specific stations.
Mitchell’s motion directs Sheriff Robert Luna, working with County Counsel and the Office of Inspector General (OIG), to develop a comprehensive framework and criteria for identifying such groups based on patterns of conduct, shared identifiers, tattoos, logos, internal affairs records, litigation history, and community testimony, and to report back to the Board in writing within 120 days.
The motion also directs the Sheriff to conduct a facility-by-facility inspection, in coordination with the OIG and the Sybil Brand Commission, of all patrol stations, custody facilities, and specialized units for unauthorized logos, badges, or insignia, with findings reported to the Board within 90 days and quarterly thereafter.
Additionally, the motion calls for a department-wide ban on the display or promotion of racist symbols and iconography, and directs the Sheriff to create a publicly accessible online portal for community members to report suspected deputy gang activity.
Kamlager-Dove announces bid for Co-Chair of House Democrats’ messaging arm
U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Culver City, Crenshaw, Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills, West Adams, Mid-City) announced her candidacy for Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, a leadership post that shapes messaging and communications strategy for House Democrats.
Kamlager-Dove laid out her case in a letter to House Democratic colleagues, arguing the party failed to communicate with voters through social media, podcasts, and independent journalism during the 2024 election cycle.
“A major lesson from that loss was that our party did not do enough to communicate with voters where they were through the new media landscape of social media, creators, independent journalists, podcasts, and other emerging platforms,” wrote Kamlager-Dove. “So I threw myself into all of it to learn, experiment, and most importantly, break through.”
Kamlager-Dove pointed to her online series “Is This Sh*t Legal?”, which she said she launched to explain the legal basis for challenging Trump administration actions, and said she has filmed content with more than a quarter of the House Democratic caucus this term. If elected, she said one of her top priorities would be connecting Los Angeles’ entertainment industry to the caucus’s messaging efforts.
“Hollywood understands how to tell complicated stories in compelling, accessible ways that meet people where they are,” wrote Kamlager-Dove. “I want to build a stronger bridge between our members and the writers, producers, storytellers, and digital creators who can help us communicate our agenda, connect with voters, and move people to action.”
Horvath, Hahn push state to pause changes to aging services funding formula
Los Angeles County Supervisors Lindsey Horvath (D-Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Calabasas, Malibu, Pacoima, Panorama City) and Janice Hahn (D-Long Beach, San Pedro, Diamond Bar, Whittier, Cerritos, Downey, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hacienda Heights) are pushing the state to pause proposed changes to how California distributes funding for older adult services, warning the new formula would significantly harm the county and its residents.
Their motion directs the county’s Chief Executive Office to send a formal letter to the California Department of Aging opposing the proposed changes to the state’s Intrastate Funding Formula, with copies to the county’s state legislative delegation, the Department of Finance, and the leaders of both legislative chambers.
The letter would request a temporary pause in adopting the new formula to allow for further review and validation, and would ask the state to publish the fiscal impact of an alternative formula favored by the county across all 33 planning and service areas statewide.
The motion proposes an alternative weighting formula that would base funding 25% on the size of a region’s population age 60 and older, 25% on low-income older adults, 20% on racial and ethnic minority older adults, 20% on older adults with disabilities, and 10% on geographic isolation.
It also directs the county’s Director of Aging and Disabilities to coordinate with other counties and aging advocates statewide and to submit final public comments to the state by Sept. 21, reporting back to the Board within 60 days on the state’s response.
Fong secures $7 million in funding for district projects
Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, South Pasadena, Temple City) secured $7 million in one-time state budget funding for youth programs, park improvements, and behavioral health services across his district.
The funding includes $2 million for the Crowell Family YMCA in South Pasadena, $1.5 million for improvements to Sereno Park in Temple City, and $3.5 million for the Chinatown Service Center’s Behavioral Health and Youth Wellness Center in Monterey Park.
“Bringing resources back to our communities is one of my top priorities,” said Fong. “This $7 million investment responds directly to local needs by supporting spaces where families gather, young people grow, and residents can access critical services. I’m proud to have secured this funding and will continue fighting to ensure our communities receive the resources they deserve.”
